Tourism & Hospitality

WVU Extension Rural Tourism provides research, planning, and training programs to support the development of a sustainable tourism economy in West Virginia. These programs focus on a participatory approach to community-based tourism development and are offered with the support of a transdisciplinary team of WVU faculty and students.

Partnerships with faculty and staff in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Resources, Landscape Architecture, Natural Resources Analysis Center, Graphic Design, Public Administration, Business and Economics and other Colleges and Departments at WVU provide a depth of knowledge and expertise and the ability to develop and deliver a wide range of programs to rural destinations.

Featured Programs

• Sustainable Tourism Webinars
• Mon Forest Towns
• Elk River Corridor
• Visit Upper Ohio Valley Tourism

Other Programs

Related Video

Timely Topics

West Virginia’s Wild & Wonderful State Parks

The State of West Virginia is often regarded for its beauty. An excellent way to observe the diverse flora, fauna, waterfalls and breathtaking vistas is to visit one of West Virginia’s state parks, state forests or recreation areas.

If you have community-based tourism research, training, and technical assistance needs, the WVU Extension can help. 

Contact  Doug Arbogast, WVU Extension Tourism Specialist, to discuss needs, availability and costs.

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In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs).
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